I don't know if you want to even bother reading this article..

Are you kidding me? They are stating that dogs are leaving a worse 'carbon footprint' than SUV's! Their poop is toxic and cat's are worse they state. No one had anything else better with their time then to calculate this? I think most of us pick up the doggie poop and don't let it run into the streams and lakes to kill the fishies and birds..right? And they suggest hens and rabbits as pets...well bc in the end you can eat them...ok sorry for a waste of your time..back to wrapping presents :)

Maax is 15!

My families dog in Knoxville, Maax a West Highland Terrier, turned 15 today! My mom sent this today from her camera phone and I can't figure out how to turn it. He looks as young as ever! Happy Birthday Maax!!!

RIP UGA

He might have been the cutest one yet...so wrinkled and stocky...he didn't live that long..RIP little guy...

Didn't have a winning bid on any dog houses...

We attended Barkitecture with Brooke and Ray at Woodland Hills a couple Friday's ago. It was a great event that focused on a Dog House Auction as well as an amazing silent auction to benefit the Golden Retriever Rescue and the Weimaraner Rescue. We got to vote on our favorite dog house then bid on them in a live auction. We didn't go there wanting or expecting to get a dog house, our dogs are inside (in our bed) dogs and there was no need. But after looking at how cool they were, we decided we wanted one. Well I decided and Tony gave me a limit. They auctioned off about 12 houses and the 2 I focused on went above my limit. The others didn't but I really liked these 2 and they were close to the end, so we didn't end up with one. But one of the builders was there and we got his card so maybe there is a cool modern dog 'playhouse' as I would call it for Lennox and Lane in the future. 

The builder of this one that I loved. 

Cole, one of the dogs in foster care that attended the event. 

Ray and Brooke, I loved that they supported this event and don't even have a pet :)

At our table

We got this 26" TV, 3 private dog training sessions at our house (much needed with the new house), and a year of home baked dog treats to come each month! I love getting good stuff at auctions, especially when it helps a good cause like these doggies!! 

Stop Shooting Innocent Family Pets Petition

SIGN THIS!!

Barkitecture

Going to this tonight!

Vigil for the dogs that suffered at the Memphis Animal Shelter

Thursday at 6pm. I couldn't post the pictures, but for those outside of Memphis...healthy dogs like this one were brought into the shelter and never made it out..died skin and bones. There are very graphic pictures of before and after on this link. This make me embarrassed to be a citizen of this city. Tears rolling from my face....

In response to dog shot in home..

Preliminary investigation reveals when the officers arrived on the scene, they attempted to check the residence for signs of a break-in. While entering the back yard, the officers noticed a dog door. While attempting to back out of the yard, they were charged by two dogs. The officers advised they had no choice but to defend themselves and each shot one time at the dogs.

Inspectional Service Bureau made the scene to conduct a full investigation. It is policy for all shootings to be investigated by ISB. This incident will be handled like any other investigation.

Memphis Police Officers ARE trained on how to be vigilant of their surroundings. They are taught how to look for signs of a dog’s presence, but still have a duty to do their job.

Due to the large volume of burglary alarms, citizens who are owners of pets can assist officers in the following ways;

· Post “Beware of Dog” or “Dog on Premises” signs near the gates on your fence.

· Advise your alarm company provider that you have an animal on the premises and make sure the alarm company relays that information to officers.

· Secure a lock on each gate

In regards to the incident that occurred today, this investigation is ongoing. An update will be available upon the conclusion of the investigation.

 

Major Susan Lowe

Memphis Police Department

Research & Development

Lots of Animal Issues Going on in Memphis

Just wanted to make everyone aware, even those of you that read my blog from Texas to New York to California, etc. There is a lot going on in Memphis today concerning animals and children. I am a member of the Animal Cruelty Taskforce as well as a on member on the Board of the Mid South Spay Neuter Services and really try my best to make everyone aware of what is going on in the community. I think when we are aware we make more conscious decisions. I have so much unpacking going on, but wanted to post this so if anyone wants to write letters etc..

Well last week the Memphis Police Department came to a home in High Point Terrace area, where I have two good friends that have homes in the area. This is a good area of town. There was an alarm going off and when the officers went into the back yard and Anna Bolton's mixed rescue dogs came running, the police shot and hit one of the dogs. Both were mixes, appearing to be lab and Shepherd mixes. When Bolton came home Violet was missing and her other dog, Bing was in a pool of blood. But the police have the right to do this!? An alarm is going off and you are so scared you shoot at two dogs? This really disgusts me bc my dogs are A LOT more scary looking and well might not be friendly to someone coming into out backyard. You know I don't know, they haven't ever done anything, but sure bark and don't look too nice when people have come up to the fence. But hello!!! This is what I actually want. I do not believe in having a gun, just didn't grow up around guns, but LIKE that people I don't know and probably don't want to know won't come into my fence after hearing my dogs bark or seeing them. Isn't this ok!? I mean I'm all for Pit Bull stereotypes to be brought down, but those burglars and home invaders, well let them think they shouldn't come into my house, right!? 

A couple of weeks ago we were at the Fox and Hound for football on a Sunday. I had on a Bengals TJ Houshmanzadeh jersey. This police officer kept following me around, it was weird, so I finally asked him if he needed something. Well TJ Houshmanzadeh now plays for the Seahawks and is one of our Fantasy players, also half Persian and I'm a huge fan. Well,  I was watching the Seahawks but he wanted to tell me that the Bengals game was on in the other room. I guess it bothered him that I was in the wrong/nonBengals room. Ok, so where am I going with this!? He decided he was going to talk to me about him being a Browns fan, etc, etc...and after some small talk, I asked him about another incident recently about some officers shooting someones Boxer. This Boxer came out of the home, according to the owners about the lick them to death. He then goes to tell me that he shoots Pit Bulls all the time. Ok, stop right there..this man had NO IDEA who he was talking to! He thought it was funny and took it back to say 2 times he has shot a Pit Bull. Once bc it was attacking a Poodle and another time when he was chasing a suspect and he ran into a house, when this police officer ran into the house there was a Pit Bull that came at him and he shot him! Well Tony hears him at this time and tells him that if someone shot one of our dogs, he would feel the right to shoot that person. Surprisingly coming from Tony who usually doesn't say much. I begin showing him pictures of Lennox and Lane in my phone and them dressed up in Halloween costumes, etc. He admits he has two Dalmatians  and loves them, bc they are a much better breed, and at this point after me telling him to stop shooting dogs, he walks off. Don't know if it helped change his mind, but why was a cop in full gear in a sports bar on a Sunday. He was a total weirdo and I wish I got his name, but I was too upset about what he said to us. 

My point is that the police think they have the right to do this, and it happens all the time. We just have heard about this case with Anna Bolton's dogs, and there is somewhat of a happy ending. Bing will be ok after lots of rehab, that Bolton will have to pay on her own, no help from the MPD and Violet was found under a neighbor's porch. Now before Violet came back, there was another animal issue, Pet Extortion. Lashira McClain had been calling Bolton and trying to extort money from her for the safe return of Violet, the dog that she didn't even have. McClain was in court today. 

Also this morning before 6am, Memphis Animal Services, the pound, the city shelter, was raided on grounds of animal abuse. ACT has been working on this after volunteers reported months ago about food shortages and starving dogs to the point of requiring euthanasia. Isn't this just sick. Our new mayor, Wharton, was on hand and immediately fired 10 employees. I'm glad he was on top of things and hopefully the conditions will improve with this investigation. 

On top of all of the animal stories that I follow I wanted to make note and send prayers to the community where 2 little boys have now both died after being left in their home when their mother went shopping and left these two boys, ages 2 and 3 in their home. Both were rushed to the hospital and have now died. Just a very sad and upsetting story that I have been following. You wonder how many other mothers think its ok to leave their kids locked in a room while they go and shop? I hope some of them see this story. 

I'm really hopeful that our new Mayor can really make some changes for child and animal welfare. Its a sad day for Memphis..

I would go mouth to muzzle would you??

An AP article polled dog and cat owners if they would perform CPR on their pet if they needed. The results were 63 percent of dog owners and 53 percent of cat owners would. Wonder why its less for a cat? Aren't they a little cleaner than dogs :) 

The article also goes into pet safety when driving with their dogs, and I am very guilty of 'taking the boys for a ride'. I know its not safe but they love to get in the car. I wonder if I could get them using dog seat belts. I really need to! I also worry that our vet is now literally across the street and we will be so much further away in Lakeland. I kinda think I need a backup vet in case I need to get them their quickly..

Rain Rain Go Away...

HOT DIGGITY DOGS IS STILL ON!!

UPDATE: Due to the rain that seems to not be stopping...they canceled the event!! Sorry for any inconvenience!!

I feel like Lucy, I have DOG GERMS!

Remember this? Ha...well last night I had just fixed Lennox and Lane a big bowl of water in the 'community kitchen' bowl and in usual fashion, they both dunk their heads in the bowl and dribble it all around the floor. I usually wait til their are completely done to wipe it up.

Well I went into the kitchen last night to take my birth control pill and I totally dropped it, it went rolling and rolling....YES..into the puddle of slobber and water and DOG GERMS! EWWWW..Well I still had to take it. There is no 'back up' birth control packs...

I went to bed last night and I swear my stomach was killing me bc of the dog slobber I swallowed along with that pill!! Now I don't mind when they give me a kiss, but for the pill to roll in the slimy water on the floor...

EWWWW...

Hot Diggity Dog!

I am involved with Mid-South Spay Neuter now and they are having a dog/kid friendly event on Sunday from 3-6pm at Dog's Rule (2265 Central Avenue).  $20 includes your donation, food, drink and beer if you like. This is a wonderful organization that does low cost spay and neuters for all dogs and cats in the area. Please support this organization if you can!

Rest Easy Sweet Jasmine and Bella

Heard the terrible news that Jasmine here on the cover of SI was hit by a car and has passed away, and Bella Rose, my friend Diane's baby lost her battles. Read Diane's letter to Bella's Abuser. What a depressing day....Ted Kennedy too! We found out yesterday that a house we have been back and forth wanting for 9 months after us making an offer was sold to someone else. I've just poured myself a glass of wine..tomorrow will be a better day! Rest in Peace...

Addison and Wesley Dog

Welsey is a great dog! He is so good for the kids..Addison is sooo into animals, especially dogs, I think she is gonna take after her Aunt. :) Monday morning they packed up the car and sat Wesley and Addison there and they were such a pair! I have a video that I will post soon too. Brayden and Addison both call Welsey the Westie, 'Wesley Dog'.

Question for you on Saturday..

I was looking through my pictures since I still can't upload any right now, but came across this one I took a month ago..can anyone guess what these items are? They all came from the same place..

UPDATE: Ok, so yes the NY Bully Brats guessed right, these are dog treats. I think they look so strange and was bored one day and took a picture of them.  No prize, but thanks for participating..I'm about to get my pictures on CD and upload them that way, still trying to figure out what to do with my computer :(

Channel 5 Coverage of MAS Situation

So sad to hear that they euthanize up to 75 animals a DAY! Please SPAY and NEUTER your dogs and cats and ADOPT not buy your next pet!!! So sad...

No Food for the Dogs at the MAS!

A report I got from a friend who volunteers at the Memphis Animal Shelter..

“As recently as this Saturday, July 11, the shelter was full to capacity and ran out of food. An employee was trying to stretch the supply by offering one small portion in one dish to a cage of several animals. Of course there was dog fighting. I was told the supervisor in charge ate potato chips while volunteers fretted about how to get more food in  before the shelter closed for the day. I hope some board members are aware of this situation.  The details are shocking, negligence is worse than ever there.”

To call the Memphis Animal Shelter and voice your concerns..

Call Tina at 901.363.1416 who is Ernie Alexander's assistant who is out today and I was told to talk to Mary.  Ernie Alexander is the Director of the Shelter.  

This is INSANE..animals should not be treated like this!!!

Update: An email was received by a friend of mine from Ernie Alexander who states that this was not a problem and there is food for all the dogs now. They were overcrowded this weekend due to several impoundments.  The advisory board for the MAS is meeting now and I will update if this indeed is the case. So it does not hurt to call and voice any concern you have with this situation.

If you don't live in Memphis, to explain there are several issue with our local government and this shelter. Animal are very low on the totem pool here when it comes to pass law for them. There have been some improvements, but in my opinion, until a spay or neuter law gets passes, there will be too many dogs euthanized in our city. One dog put down for overcrowding is too many in my opinion. Again, I am told the number is 36 dogs a day are euthanized due to overcrowding and funding for shelters. 

Stalking Phil Mickelson at the St. Jude Golf Tournament

Brett invited Tony and I over to watch the St. Jude Golf Tournament from his parent's house on the 18th hole at Southwind on Sunday.  They had the best covered patio ever. Fans, wine, beer, a breeze, what more could you want?  I didn't even really want to get up and watch any, but we decided to walk from hole to hole and watch Phil Mickelson. The homes are gorgeous along the golf course and the weather was actually really nice from the rain showers earlier in the day.  

The guys were so embarrassed that I asked someone to take this picture of us four. Tony is acting like he doesn't even know me and I totally spilled my glass of wine on me during this. Yes, I was walking around the course with some Rose'. Hey, but wasn't my outfit totally "golfy"??

So after about 4 holes, yep, my shoe falls apart. How embarrassing that I had to walk around the rest of the day with my shoe flapping along the course?? Thanks adidas!

Phil tees off, yep we are pretty much stalking him at this point. Hey, let's go ahead and say it was the guys actually doing the stalking. 

Brett's mom has the cutest French Bulldogs, I have already said if one walks though the Humane Society doors, I'm adopting it! :) They would be the perfect size to keep up with my big boys, but small enough to handle. I think I am obsessed with all the Bully breeds!

Eydis and her puppies

Courtney is fostering three puppies from the Humane Society. The above pictures were when they were first born. They were almost 5 weeks old in these pictures below from last week.  I know they have grown so much, I need to go see them again. Their mom Eydis is still at the Humane Society with three of her pups, two of the other ones are in foster as well.  They all got "E" names like Elmer, Edgar, etc..but Courtney changed their names to cuter, 'trendier' one..So here is Cooper, Jack and Lola...we think they are Australian Shepherd/Corgi mixes..